How to Survive in College: Just like it was difficult to survive in middle school, Knowing how to survive in college can be tough during your first year. Many students are struggling financially and are finding it hard to pay the bills. It’s going to be tough, but there are a few things you can do to survive. One of those things is to get used to a conservative budget. This means you will need to learn how to survive college as a conservative spender.
Some students might be scared of how to survive in college as a conservative spenders because they will be spending money they don’t have. But, in reality, this isn’t realistic. The reason why you should make it really, is that you may end up borrowing money from loans to pay for school. The last thing you want to do is get yourself in a bad situation.
Thus, this article from the desk of the world study portal esteemed writers will expose you to mind-blowing tips for surviving the college year with less stress.
How to Survive in College- 8 Tips For The Freshman
Knowing how to survive in college as a conservative spender involves finding money to pay for your education. However, education itself is not cheap. So you have to decide how much of your future pay you are going to spend on tuition alone. How much can you cut back so that you can survive?
Some people choose to take the help of scholarships and grants. While you could possibly get enough money to attend college, this still does not take the burden of debt off of you. Plus, these grants and scholarships are limited to only a certain number of people. Knowing how to survive in college as a conservative spender involves knowing how to apply for financial aid to support your sponsor.
#1. Save Money
One thing you should do is make sure you’re saving every cent you earn. If you have money in the bank, then you won’t need to borrow it. That means you will be a conservative spender. When you do borrow money, you should look at the interest rate versus the cost of borrowing the money. And this will help you decide how to make payments.
#2. Spending wisely
The best thing you can do to ensure you spend wisely is to limit your credit card purchases to your needs and your income. One of the best ways to do this is to set up automatic deposits into your bank account. The bank will send you a check every month and you don’t have to think about the money.
The amount that you get will depend on the number of transactions you have made, the average payment, and the payment schedule of your student loan. You should aim to spend less than $100 per month on credit cards. You will also need to set up your student loan payments to fit into your budget.
#3. Earn Some Part-time Income.
Another way how to survive in college as a conservative spender is to earn some part-time income. This doesn’t mean that you should work at a full-time job. You can earn part-time income from the library or from an online business. Just make sure that it’s not overshadowing your full-time job. This will allow you to save money for your education.
You can also use a part-time job to survive in college students. Just make sure that it’s not something where you have to do hundreds of hours a week. Try to find something where you are just filling in for your full-time job. This can be at a store or with an online business.
READ ALSO: How to Focus on Studying |15 Amazing steps to get you Back on Track
#4. Apply For Scholarships and Grants
One of the best ways how to survive in college as a conservative spender is to search for a scholarship or grant and apply for it. Look over each one that you find interesting. If there is an odd number, do your research to see if it applies to you. If there are scholarships that you qualify for, fill out your application. Then just wait to hear back from the schools you have applied to!
#5. Apply for Financial aid package( Study Loans)
Another way how to survive in college as a conservative spender is to use your financial aid package to do some repairs around the house. Take a look at the list of things you need done around the house and determine how much money you can come up with to get it done. Sometimes you can use that money to pay for your tuition. It may be more than you think.
#6. Rent Your Dorm Room
This might sound a little out of place for some people. When you finally get to college, most times comfort might not be top on the list. hence, part of knowing how to survive in college might require you to do a bit of living away from home. Living away from home is something that will become easier as time goes on.
The more you learn about how to survive in college as a conservative spender, the easier it will become for you.
You might even be able to rent out your dorm room to someone that is willing to pay you rent. It all depends on how much money you know you have coming in and how much you can save up each semester. Plus you don’t have to worry about how to find a job.
#7. Find Work in the Area Where you are Studying ( for off-campus students)
Some students decide not to live off-campus as they would not be able to afford it. If this is the case, then perhaps you can find work in the area where you are studying. Many times there are many jobs in the surrounding areas where you would want to live. You could work as a waitress at a popular restaurant, a cashier in a mall, or any number of different jobs that are available. Make sure you save up the extra money each semester so that you don’t have to worry about how to pay for your living expenses while you are attending college.
#7. Use your Study Loans to do Extra Things when you are Attending School
Finally, One of the best ways on how to survive in college as a conservative spender is to use your loans to do extra things when you are attending school. Take some time and figure out how you are going to pay for all of your school supplies. Do you have enough money to buy books? Is there enough money for your room’s decorations? Think about how you can save up extra so that you do not have to rely on financial means to get through your school years. Remember, your goal is to survive but you will also want to excel in your courses.
#BONUS POINT
Pay your bills early: One of the best ways to save money is to pay your bills before the due date. Don’t wait until the last minute to pay bills.
Tips for surviving college as Freshman from A college somophores
Don’t take on as much debt as you did before. While it is tempting to spend money, try to learn how to spend your money wisely. You are now making the big bucks, and it is easier to get yourself into big debt. You don’t want to spend your last penny just to be a college graduate.
Spend time with friends. Have you lost touch with friends from high school? Try to make time to get together with some of your old pals and have a good time. There’s no need to talk about bills or the future.
Just have fun. Develop a daily routine. Avoid getting into a pattern of sleeping late and then not getting up. Find a routine of getting up and going to the gym every day. You’ll be amazed at how productive you can be during the day if you get up and get moving.
READ ALSO: How do summer online classes work | Why Take Summer College Courses Online?
How To Get Through College Without Losing Your Mind
How to Pass College: There are many tools, skills, and habits that you can develop that can help not only make you successful in college but also in your future career. Whatever you do, be sure to be yourself and try to get the most out of your college experience. Expect stress and homesickness, but don’t let these problems wear you down.
#1. Sign up for summer classes
The cost of college is really expensive, and the only way you’re going to be able to get an education is by getting as much college credit (either class, extra-curricular activities, or internships) as you can as quickly as you can. Summer classes can be great, especially if you’re taking summer school classes.
But, for those of you who have to take the semester class, summer is a waste of time. Summer is a time to get out of school, go on vacation, work, and then get ready for the next semester. Summer classes just waste time. This may be hard to hear, but summer school is basically worthless to your career path unless you’re an accelerated student and you’re actually trying to get a summer job.
#2. Get your hands on a planner
A planner is very important in keeping track of all of the important information that is required to successfully go to college. While some students may get by without one, I guarantee that those who don’t get them to where they need to be. You should have a semester and daily planner, as well as a calendar. Your planner should include calendar entries for the major deadlines and your classes. Have multiple and thorough backup plans in place if you are feeling overwhelmed. Plan to call your professor or advisor at least once a week to ensure that everything is going well. Bust out your headphones While I understand the argument of there being too much noise in the classroom, there really is no arguing that a little noise will make the day go by faster.
#3. Get enough sleep
It is no secret that getting enough sleep is good for your health, and helps with motivation and focus. According to studies, adequate sleep has been linked to a number of mental and physical health benefits. Try to get at least seven hours of sleep a night. Here are some tips on how to do this: Keep a sleep journal. This allows you to keep track of what time you go to bed and wake up, as well as how much you sleep during the night, for two weeks. During this time, record your average times for going to bed, and waking up. This should give you a good indication of when you are tired and need to get up in the morning.
#4. Find a balance between studying and socializing
Learn how to say no to your friends. Instead of always saying yes, say no when you don’t want to go out. This is especially important if you have an extremely busy social schedule. A big part of having a successful first year of college is finding time to study and you need to make time for social activities too. But if you work hard and keep your priorities straight, you’ll find you don’t even need to turn down many social invitations to meet your educational and social goals. A big part of a successful first year of college is learning how to say no. (And saying yes when you should.) (Image Source: Eight Mile Style) Don’t be too hard on yourself It’s really easy to stress about how stressed you are and how much schoolwork you have. But try not to take it too seriously.
READ ALSO: 21+ Best Boarding Schools in Indiana | 2024 Ranking.
#5. Stay healthy
Getting sick in college is like being in a war zone. You may live in a city with a university, or in a large dorm or apartment building, but it’s not the same as living on your own and having your own space.
This is especially true if you’re living off-campus and in a new place. You’ll still need to go to the doctor to get medical advice or prescriptions, and you’ll need to keep track of your personal hygiene, stay on top of healthy food, and exercise regularly to make sure you stay healthy.
The best part about keeping healthy is that you can just pop in your exercise or workout DVD, grab a snack, and find some spare time to fit in a workout at the end of the day. Make new friends College is the perfect time to meet new people and make new friends.
Frequently Asked Questions On How to Survive in College by Being a Conservative Spender
How can I manage college expenses on a tight budget?
Prioritize needs over wants, create a budget, seek affordable alternatives, and take advantage of student discounts to stretch your dollars.
Is it possible to have a social life while being a conservative spender in college?
Absolutely! Look for free or low-cost events, explore campus activities, and establish cost-conscious social habits to enjoy college life without overspending.
How do I avoid accumulating unnecessary student debt?
Minimize loans by applying for scholarships, working part-time, and choosing a cost-effective meal plan. Prioritize needs and make informed financial decisions.
Can I still have a fulfilling college experience without spending extravagantly?
Yes, focus on building meaningful connections, participating in affordable extracurriculars, and exploring campus resources to enrich your college experience without breaking the bank.
What are some practical tips for conservative spending on textbooks and course materials?
Consider buying used or digital textbooks, utilize the library, share materials with classmates, and explore online platforms for cheaper alternatives to save on academic resources.
Conclusion
There are a lot of good tips out there that can help you survive college. These tips can help you keep your head above water during your first year. Before you know it, you will be graduating with a degree and entering the real world. Most of the things you have been taught in high school will still be helpful in the real world, but you will still have to learn to balance your needs with your wants.
